Two 15-year-olds missing after Lake Tahoe ski trip

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OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — The parents of two 15-year-old California children who went missing over the weekend at Lake Tahoe are asking the community for help.

Kadyn Julia Gianis and Thomas Wagstaffe were last seen on foot at the Tahoe City Transit Center near the lake’s west shore Sunday, according to a statement from the North Tahoe Fire Protection District.

A missing children report has been filed with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities believe Wagstaffe has influence over Gianis, a PCSO spokesman said, something Kadyn’s mother, Shani Gianis, also confirmed with the Sierra Sun in a Tuesday morning phone interview.

“We love them both,” Shani said. “We just want them to call and to tell them to please come home. Everything that’s wrong, we will work out — we love you both.”

Gianis and Wagstaffe were in town from Solvang, Calif. (near Santa Barbara), on a church youth group ski trip to Squaw Valley, Shani said.

The kids arrived Friday night and were staying at Sierra Bible Church in Truckee. When they missed the bus back to the church Saturday evening, their parents learned they were missing.

Shani and her husband, Nick, arrived overnight Saturday with friends and family and have been searching the area. Members of Wagstaffe’s family also are in the area searching.

“We searched everywhere until midnight last night,” Shani said. “They’re on foot, and they don’t have a lot of cash.”

Wagstaffe was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket and a gray beanie, while Kadyn Gianis was wearing a black jacket and holding black and white striped bag, and her hair was in a pony tail, Shani said.

Anyone with information should contact Shani Gianis at 805-717-2277 or Nick Gianis at 805-455-0303.